Supply Chain Research

General Motors is idling five U.S. factories in January to reduce excess inventories of sedans. This will have a knock-on effect for its suppliers. GM has greatly increased its use of overseas suppliers such as Saltillo and Valeo for parts in the past three years. Panjiva data shows imports from Mexico increased 55% in the past 12 months vs. 2013. This was driven by a near-200% increase in imports of body, interior and electrical parts with a jump of over 500% in November alone.